About this collection

The Veterans Survey Collection was created in 1968 when the U.S. Military History Research Collection at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, predecessor of the U.S. Army Military History Institute, used pension records of the Veterans Administration to send letters to 8,000 identified veterans of the Spanish-American War, Philippine Insurrection and the China Relief Expedition. The letters described the efforts of the Spanish-American War, Philippine Insurrection and Boxer Rebellion (China Relief Expedition) Veterans Project to collect materials from veterans. Approximately 800 veterans returned the request and provided photographs, artifacts, and information regarding equipment, discipline, soldier life, campaigns and leadership. The project continued to create collections related to all the major conflicts and time periods through the present day. The bulk of the materials focus on the U.S. Army, but materials from veterans of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Militias and civilians are also included.